Program Manager, Experiential Hospitality - FIFA World Cup 2026

INNOCEAN USA, a full-service ad agency located in sunny Huntington Beach, CA, is seeking a Hospitality Program Manager to join our KIA FIFA team!

Our ideal candidate has 3-5 years’ experience in event marketing – activations and hospitality, preferably in an ad agency setting.

This is a contract role starting 7/21/25 through 8/31/26.

We are a hybrid workplace, x2 days week in-office. Candidates must be local to SoCal.

OVERVIEW:

Official Match Ball Carrier & Hospitality Program Manager will be the day-to-day lead overseeing preparation and execution of all OMBC, OMBC Cup, and Ticketing / Hospitality management. The OMBC & Hospitality Program Manager will work with client, vendors, FIFA, and internal team to ensure that all program deliverables are met with exceptional attention to detail and provide a uniquely positive experience for participants and guests.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The OMBC & Hospitality Program Manager of FIFA World Cup 2026 is responsible for overseeing the concept development, preparation, and execution of all OMBC and Hospitality components inclusive of:

Official Match Ball Carrier Program:

• Management of OMBC Cup
  • Host tournament to select global OMBC participants
    • Manage vendor to produce and execute a high-end soccer tournament including promotional items, asset development, city regulations and restrictions, invitations, participant travel, welcome reception, team uniforms, refereeing, winners prizing, etc.
• Selection of 50 OMBC kids nationwide
  • Manage selection of 7 kids for Team USA in the OMBC Cup
• Chaperone, uniform, and travel management
  • Oversee all aspects of FIFA regulations for OMBC winers inclusive of pairing and training mandated chaperones, official OMBC uniform order and distribution, travel and itinerary management of all OMBC winners, guardians, and chaperones.
• Social Media
  • Assist KUS social in selection of OMBC participants through online skills challenge with a FIFA legend host.

Hospitality & Ticketing:

• Suite management
  • Oversight of local suite managers, develop and maintain VIP guest lists, produce and install suite KUS branding (signage, pillows, cups, plates, etc.)
• Ticket Distribution
  • Manage all ticketing databases and communication with KUS appointed recipients.
• Gifting
  • Manage and oversee gifting program for all VIP suite guests inclusive of Kia branded wearables and premiums.

Management of all onsite VIP suite hosts:

• Suite host = 1 elevated suite host per game in each host market
  • Ensure all projects are executed to plan through internal team, agency resources, and workflow process
  • Fully understand the client’s business and maintain current industry knowledge
  • Development of a positive relationship with all client contacts, vendors, and FIFA leads.
  • Assist in developing, tracking, and reconciling project budgets.
  • Responsible for communication between client, vendors, staffing, and FIFA

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 3-5 years’ experience in event marketing – activations and hospitality, preferably in an ad agency setting.
• Sports and/or automotive activations a big plus.  
• Proficient in MS office
• Demonstrated creative and critical thinking with the ability to build multi-channel programs from concept through to execution
• Track record of building strong long term client relationships
• Pension to drive for results and highest quality standards
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to keep composure and adapt in high pressure situations
• Commitment to continuous improvement and lifelong learning
• Superior organizational and time management skills with a strong attention to detail

BENEFITS: 

• Access to our health benefits
• Paid sick days and holidays
• 401k - up to 6% match at .70 cents on the dollar
• On-site Barista
• Beautiful campus across from the Pacific Ocean

The salary range for this role is $77,000 - $88,000.  Pay is dependent upon several factors including but not limited to: client, experience, training and/or transferable skills.

Who are we? We are explorers. We look out to the edge of the world and ask, "where haven't we been before?" Together, we hunt for an intersection of art and science, creativity bolstered by data. Storytelling layered in strategy. Innovation rich in intelligence. Our adventures are many, our quests, undaunted. Our possibility is as vast as the ocean. Always remembering, the deeper we dive, the greater we become. And the further we go, the more we find.